What Are the Benefits of Spinal Cord Stimulation?

Many people experience improvements in their pain symptoms and quality of life after receiving spinal cord stimulation. Some of these benefits may include:

• Significant and sustained reduction in chronic pain
• Improved ability to function and participate in activities of daily living
• Less oral pain medication needed

In addition, this treatment:

• Has been proven to be safe and effective when used as directed
• Can be adjusted to provide different levels of stimulation for various activities and times of day
• Lets you try the therapy for a short period of time before you receive a permanent implant
• Is reversible—the therapy can be turned off or surgically removed

What Are the Risks of Spinal Cord Stimulation?

The neurostimulation implant is placed under the skin surgically. So, surgical complications are possible, similar to other surgeries. These may include infection, pain at the site of surgery, and bleeding into the epidural space.

Once the neurostimulation system is implanted, it’s possible that device complications may occur. These include jolting, lead breaking, and movement of the lead within the epidural space, which may require reprogramming, surgical replacement of the leads, or corrective surgery. These events may result in uncomfortable stimulation or loss of therapy.

Please see Important Safety Information for more details. Also, please discuss the benefits and risks of this therapy with your doctor.

What Are the Advantages Over Other Therapies?

Spinal cord stimulation offers several advantages over other chronic pain treatments:

• Unlike other chronic pain treatments or surgeries, you can experience spinal cord stimulation and see if it relieves your pain before committing to the long-term therapy.
• A screening test serves as a temporary evaluation period. Like an epidural, a special needle will be used. Instead of injecting medication into the epidural space, temporary medical wires called leads will be placed.
• It does not have to be a permanent procedure. The neurostimulator can be surgically removed if you decide to pursue a different treatment.
• Unlike oral medications that circulate throughout your entire body, spinal cord stimulation targets the precise area where you are feeling pain.
• Spinal cord stimulation may provide relief when other treatments—like medications or injections—have not.

Who Can I Go to for Answers?

There are many resources available to help you get answers to your questions about spinal cord stimulation.

• Talk with someone who has spinal cord stimulation and has volunteered to share his or her experience.
• Talk with your doctor Clearway.  To schedule your appointment to discuss Spinal Cord Stimulation and other pain management options call our office at 850-484-4080.